Air conditioning



Mrch 8, 1938. l.. D. MDoNALD,

AIR CONDITIONING Filed OOb. 3, 1930 2 ShOOtSr-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR, ka/aww/f @Wa/.

BY v

A TTORNEYS.

PatentedlMar. 1938 UNnr-:D STATES- PATENT oFFlcE y LawrenceD. McDonald,Kansas City, Mo. Application ctober 3, 1930, Serial No. 486,122

10 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for controlling temperature andyhumidity within an enclosure and is especially adapted for use inconnection with theatres or similar places where 5' the audience is tobe housed within a room main- .tained at a temperature substantiallylower than the outside temperature during the summer time and at apredetermined desired temperature during the colder months.

l0 .The primary object of the invention is the provision of apparatusespecially adapted for controlling the temperature and humidity withinan enclosure by controlling the total volume of air introduced into saidenclosure. y y l5 A vyetfurther object ofthe invention is the provision'of combined temperature and humidity regulating apparatus, the volumeof air passing therethrough to the enclosure being treated, andregulated by the relative humidity of the air pass- ;0 ing from saidenclosure.

One of the further objects of. the invention is the provision oi'temperature regulated means within a dehumidifier which is actuated bythe change in temperature in a manner to alter the amount of spray waterused within the dehumidifier.

The invention further contemplates the combination with a dehumidiilerof ordinary structure of a pair of thermometers which are interloconnected and positioned adjacent the air inlet and air outlet in amanner which allows setting the same to maintain a temperaturedlierential at the air inlet to the humldier and at the point of'entrance of the treated air into the enclosure.

35 It is well known in this art that where an enclosure is to bemaintained at a predetermined temperature and humidity that someregulation must be provided as the number of things within the enclosureis varied.

. to alter the total airvolume passed through the enclosure in order.that` the air temperature and humidity might be controlled and it isalso a point of the invention to control the temperature of the` air.prior to itsflieing introduced into said In'the warmer months it isdesirable to maintain an enclosure of the character above set perature.made in accordance with this invention to maintain the air beingintroduced, into the enclosure In the present invention itiscontemplated forth at a temperature no t in excess of ten degrees lowerthan the atmospheric or outside air tem- Means is provided in thestructure The present invention further contemplates novel structuresand combinations of parts whereby to carry out the objects of theinvention as hereinabove set down. Such structural details and furtherminor objects of the invention will appear'during the course of thedetailed specification referring to the accompanying drawings wherein isshown in diagrammatical form an apparatus for controlling temperatureand humidity within an enclosure. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical fragmentary sectional view through a dehumidifiershowing the ar` rangement of parts as contemplated by this invention. V

Fig.v 2 is an enlarged vertical central section through a humidostatembodying the ,features of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical lay-out of the interconnected thermostatsshowing their relation to the means for supplying the water to thecooling coilsl of the dehumidifier, and,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the valveassociated with the thermostat adjacent the air outlet.

'I'he invention may be embodied in structures ofvarious forms andcharacters and only the preferred form of the same is diagrammaticallyillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumeralsare used to designate similar parts throughout the severalviews.

In carrying out the invention a well known dehumidier A may be usedtoact upon vair `passing to the enclosure B, wherein the temperature andhumidity is likely to be constantly and suddenly altered by the entranceand exit of a large number of people. 'I'he dehumidifier with which rtheparts made in accordance with this invention are combined with eiectcomprises a housing 6, having an air inlet opening 8 and an air outletI0, between which is located a series of cooling coils I2, within whichis provided a.v refrigerant of some ysort sufficient to cool theincoming air as it passes thereover. Coils I2 should have water sprayedthereover and in the instance shown thereis provided a plurality 'ofspray heads I4 which spray water downwardly over coils I2 and which willsupply it with water through the intermediacy of a' pumpv I6 driven bymotor or analogous means I8. In addition to the spray heads I4, 'aplurality of spray heads 20 is provided which force a substantiallyhorlzontal spray against coils I2. Likewise, a pump 22, driven by motor24, supplies water to spray heads 20. Air passing into the dehumidifierthrough intake 8 leaves the coils I2 bythe way must'be open to somedegree at all times.

of a plurality of serpentine-paths formed between eliminators 26 where avast majority of v the water carried by the air is lost along saidlpaths. From the description set down next above,l

it is obvious the air dehumidifier or conditioning apparatus shouldinclude, besides the cooling coils, the pumps, the interconnectedtemperature regulated means, means to control ,the supply of water tosaid coils, and a plurality of elim-A inators to form serpentine pathslwherein moisture is lost from the air as it travels. In case theapparatusis to be used in winter or during the colder months, a heatingcoil 26 should be provided to receive steam for the purpose of treatingthe air` passing into enclosure B to the desired temperature.

An air shaft 36 connects with a fan 62 which is interposed betweenenclosure B and dehumidifier A. This fan is driven by a motor 34 throughthe use of a belt or similar structure 36 and draws air through the airoutlet I and forces it to the enclosure B through 'air shaft 36 as shownin jFig. 1. `Air leaving enclosure B passes through conduit 38 which isin communication with, the

dehumidifier A. -A certain amount of outside or atmospheric air shouldbe taken into the apparatus through outside air inlet 40, but a seriesof 'dempers 42 may be 4provided to regulate the amount if necessary.Dampers 42 should never be entirely closed to preclude circulation butIt is desirable in practicing this invention to combine with theapparatus a thermostat 44 which is positioned i'n the path, and is actedupon by, the incoming outside atmospheric air. A second thermostat 46 ispositioned' in the path of travel of air leaving the dehumidifier A andis preferably located where the temperature of the air striking thesamewill vnot be different from the temperature of the air enteringenclosure B.

Thermostat 46, when actuated by the change in temperature, moves aplunger 46 to open and close a valve 56 interposed in an air line 52. A

`sutiable motor driven air pump 54 supplies air under pressure toair-line 52 and when valve 50 is opened, air will pass through line 52and close switch 56 which controls the current to motor 24. Obviously,the opening and closing of valve 50 starts and stops respectively, motor24. Av

small bleeder valve should be interposed in line 52 betweenv valve .56and switch 56 to insure against trapping oi' air and to positivelyrelease airpressure which is great enough to hold switch 56 closed. Thisvalve is so small that it does not affect air pressure from pump 54.'Ihus will spray through heads 2l) be cut olf or allowed to flow asthermostat 46 is moved, by the change in temperature lat the air outletI6.

When the ,temperature is too high,` valve 56 should be opened so thatswitch 56 may be closed, causing pump v24 to send an additional spraythrough the incoming air to cool or lower the temperature of the same. y

It is desirable to maintain a predetermined wardly, F18. 4, it will takea greater stroke on the part of plunger 46 to entirely close valve 50.As the outside temperature varies so does the position of plunger 62and, accordingly, the proper differential between the outsidetemperature and the temperature of the air entering enclosure B will bemaintained.

In combination with the temperature Acontrol as just above set forth, itis a feature of Athis invention to provide means to control the .volumeof 'airto enclosure B which is actuated by the condition of air passingfrom the enclosure. Within air conduit 36 is positioned a humidostat 64which is associated with a controller 66, which in turn alters the speedof motor 34 as the various resistance coils of controller 66 are throwninto and out of the circuit. Broadly speaking, and since the humidostat64 alters the speed oi motor 34 in accordance with the humidity of theair passing from enclosure B,- this structure may be said to constituteone of the most important features of the present invention.Specifically, the humidostat 64 includes a wet bulb thermostat 68 and athermostat 16 which are connected together by a bar or similar device 12having an adjustable fulcrum arm 14 which may be moved along a bearingplatform 16 carried by links 18 so as. to maintain the platform. 16 inoperative position upon lever 66 which is pivotally supported as at 82.

Compression spring 64 nialintains the point of lever 86 against theplatform 1.6 and as the same is moved up or down, lever` 66 pivots aboutthe pivotal point 62 to 'throw in or out, as the case may be, the seriesof coils forming a part of controller 66. Thus the speed of motor 34 isaltered in accordance with the relative movement betweenwet bulbthermostat 66 and Athermostat ;10, which is expressedin terms of themovement of fulcrum arm 14.

Manifestly, the humidostat may be set for any desired humidity and anyincrease above that predetermined humidity will cause the fan -32 toreduce its speed'until the air introduced into enclosure B is reducedand the humidity is decreased to the desired point. Since thetemperature of the air is also controlled before it enters enclosure B,it is possible to maintain a desired temperature or humidity within theenclosure without the use of 'further devices.

It is understood that substitutions for the instruments herein describedmight be made so long as the performances of the same are substantiallyidentical to those described and are capable of performinga likefunction. Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as newv iand desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In an apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity within anenclosure, the combination of an air dehumidier having an air inlet, anair outlet, a fan for drawing air into the dehumidifierand forcing itinto saidenclosure, said dehumidifier comprising cooling coils withinthe dehumidier, a pump for spraying water over the v cooling coils andinterconnected temperature regulated means adjacent said air inlet andair outletv having means for controlling the supply of spray waterpassing over said cooling coils.

2. In an apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity within anenclosure, the combination of an air dehumidier having an air inlet, anvair outlet, a fan for drawing air into the dehumidifier and forcing itinto said enclosure, said dehumidier comprising cooling coils within.the dehumidier, pumps for spraysaid rst mentioned acts upon the secondmentioned to vary the action thereof and a switch for starting andstopping one of said pumps, said switch being controlled by action ofsaid outlet thermostat whereby to control the supply of spray waterpassing over -said cooling coils.

3. In an apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity within anenclosure, the combination of an air dehumidiiier having an air inlet,an air outlet, a fan for drawing air into the dehu'midler and forcing itinto said enclosure,

said dehumidifier comprising cooling coils withinI the dehumidiiier, apump for spraying water over the cooling coils and interconnected temyperature regulated means adjacent said air inlet and air outlet havingmeans for controlling the supply of spray water passing overl saidcooling coils, said temperature regulated means being constructed to actAuponl the ,dehumidiner to .-maintain a predetermined difference intemperature between the air intake and air outlet.

4. In an apparatus for controlling` temperature and humidity within anenclosure, the combina- 'tion of an air dehumidifier having an airinlet,

- an air outlet, a fan for drawing air into the dehumidifier and forcingit into said enclosure, said dehumidier'comprising cooling coils withinthe dehumidier, pumps for spraying water over the cooling coils, athermostat at the air inlet. a thermostat at the air outlet, aconnection between said two thermostats whereby the enective` action ofthe latter' is alteredby the former and means controlled by the combinedaction of the inlet thermostat and said outlet thermostat to control theaction of said spray pumps.

.5; In an Aapparatus for controlling temperature and humidity within anenclosure, the combination of an air dehumidifier having an air inlet,

an air outlet, a fan for drawing air into the dehumidifier and forcingit into said enclosure,

Asaid dehumidiier comprising cooling coils within the dehumidier, pumpsfor spraying water over the cooling coils, an air conduit connecting theenclosure and said dehumidier, a humidostat within saidconduit to beacted upon by air pass- 1 ying therethrough from the enclosure and acontroller for.altering the speed of the fan operable by said humidostatwhereby a greater or lesser.

volume of air is forced into the enclosure. y

6. In an apparatus for controlling temperature and. humidity within anenclosure, the combination of 'an air dehumidifier having an outside airinlet, an air outlet, affan for drawing air into the dehumidifier andforcing it into said enclovsure, said dehumidifier comprising coolingcoils within the dehumidifier, puinps for spraying water over thecooling coils, an air conduit connecting the enclosure and said.dehumidifier, a

humidostat within said conduit to be acted upon 1. by4 air passingtherethrough from the enclosure, l

sure, said air being drawn through the dehumidifier over said coolingcoils and means to adjust the amount of spray .water to the coilsincluding a thermostat at the outside air inlet, a thermostat at the airoutlet from the dehumidifier, said last mentioned thermostat havingmeans associated therewith and operable by the ilrst mentionedthermostat for altering the eective action thereof whereby thetemperature of the volume of air entering the enclosure under thecontrol of said humidostat is controlled by said two thermostats.

7. In an apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity within anenclosure, means for controlling the volume of air forced into theenclosure including a humidostat positioned to 'be acted upon by airpassing from the enclosure, a controller associated with said humidostatand a motor-driven fan operatively connected to said controller, saidhumidostat having a' wet bulb thermostat, a thermostat and connectionbetween the same, said connection being operathermostat is varied by airleaving theenclosure.

8. In an' apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity within anenclosure, means for controlling .the volume of air forced intol theenclosure includinga humidostat positioned to be acted upon by airpassing from the enclosure, a controller associated with said humidostatand a motor-driven fan operatively connected to said controller,v saidhumidostat having a wet bulb thermostat, a thermostat and a connectionbetween the same, means to operate the controller and means to vary therelation between the connection and controller' actuating means.

9. A method of conditioning air, consisting of passing all of the air tobe conditioned through a chamber in which a cooling medium is locatedand controlling the temperature and/or relative humidity-of the air byvarying the area of said cooling medium exposed to contact with the airthrough the medium of interacting devices responsive to the temperatureconditions before and after the air has passed through the chamber. A

10. A method for conditioning air in a ventilating system, consisting ofconducting the air.

LAWRENUE D. McDNALp.-

' CERTIFICATE l0F CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,110,161. Merch 8, 1958.

LAwRENCE D.; lMcDQmLt.

It is hereby certified that. error appears in the print'edspecificationof the abover numbered patent requiring crrection aus fellows: Page 2,first column, lines 5 and L, strikefout 'the words "along said paths andinsert the same after "travels" and before the period 1n 13m@ 11V; 'andthat the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this corection 'thereinthat the' same may conformto the record o'l the `cese in the Patent.Office.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of November, A. D. 1.958.

Henry Van Arsdeie (Seal) Acting ('JommissLene.I` of Patents.

